The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-01-13
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have 10 Say About
Their Old Campaigns
GATHERING THEM IN.
with sheridan and Custer in the Closing Cam
paign.

patgns
EDITOR NATIONAL. TRIBUNE: On the LIST OF
March, 1865. Sheridan left Winchester with has
cavalry command for Petersburg, taking in on
his route Stauntun. Va, az the head OF the Shen-
andoah Valley. Following up the Valley we
came to Waynesboro, having there an engage
ment with Gen. Earlys command. We cap
tured several prisoners aud a part OF has wagon
train, thereby making short work of Early.
From Naynesbor0 we crossed the Blue Ridge
Mountains, coming TO Charlottesville, and
marched TO Columbia, on the James River, with
instructions 10 cross the James; but have seen
from history that instructions were given TO
60 around the rear OF Richmond and join Grant
ON the lett, but the river being SO high that
the pontoOn bridges did not reach, our course
was changed 60 White House Landing, on the
Pamnnkey River, after making an effort TO
destroy one Of the dams and completely de-
stroying the James River Canal.
We crossed the Pamuukey River at White
House Landing, arriving at Petersburg on the
last day of March. Here we laid up a few
days and then commenced lighting in real ear
nest. We took our position on Grants left and
swung around on the right flank by way Of
Dinwiddie Courthouse. We had engagements
every day until the 9TH Of April, when, with
the assistance of infantry aud artillery, we
routed Gen Ewell's forces, capturing a large
portion, among them being the General HIM
self The Sergeant Major Of my regiment cap
tured Gen. Ewell, aud brave, resolute gentle
man he was with hut one leg
The night Of the capture had charge Of
detachment OF my regiment who We're guard
ing the prisoners. The next morning there was
an effort made 10 select the officers from the
private soldiers. Many OF them looked worse
than the priyates, making il difficult task.
After guessing that this one and that one
an officer, we separated them, placing them in
squad 10y themselves with Gen. Ewell as the
senior officer. IL was bright, sunshiuy morn
ing but il didn't seem to have good effect on
them; they looked anything but bright, and,
judging from their looks they felt very gloomy.
Previous 90 this time order was issued,
suppose by Gen. Sheridan, that every man
who would capture a rebel flag should have 80
days furlough. Up TO this time Gen. Clusters
Division had captured 30 rebel flags; some very
fine ones were among them, too. 1t was an
imposing scene 10 see the brave General, with
his broad -brimmed hat and long hair, almost
the color OF gold, waving in the breeze, at the
head OF his division, with the men hearing the
30 rebel flags, all unlurled to the breeze fol-
lowing after him.
On the evening of the sth Of April we en-
countered one of Lees lines of retreat. NV
regiment was formed in line by Mai. Howe 70
make charge ON the line of retreat i'm the dark
ness through a forest of pine. Owing largely
10 the great exertions of Maj. Howe the charge
was successfully made. lt was however cir
cumstance worthy of special notice that the
Major, who had served through the four years
was mortally wounded and died few hours
afterward. 1t can be truly said of him that he
was brave, unfllnGhng man. But few DAYS
before he had received his commission as Major,
but had not been mustered in that capacity up
60 the time OF his death. On the retreat of the
enemy we struck wagons, artillery. ambulances
and what not. A line was formed as well as
the circumstances would permit. facing, as we
supposed, Gen. Lees army. We held that posi-
ton till daylight, and were relieved by coored
troops Custer, with his division, started TO
take new position. During this movement
man with flag of truce came up 10 Gen. Gus
ters column and inquired who was in command
and where the General was. ] had the honor
TO inform him that il was Gen. Clusters COM
mand, and that he was at the head of the col
umn. He lit QUA for the head of the column.
BE was a rebel officer having an Orderly with
him. When ho reached Gen. Custer and de-
fivered his message the columns halted, Gen.
Custer sending an officer with him into their
lines with certain instructions. Gen. Clusters
command was then formed in line and il was
made known 10 our men by Gen. Custer that q
surrender would take place Immediately.
We went into camp that night in plain view
of the rebels. 1t seemed very strange 20 our
men to be lying there within speaking distance
of the Johnuies with no guard for protection
and have no doubt that peculiar sensation
came over many, not the most pleasant IN the
world. The next day after the surrender we
started on our return TO Petersburg. After re-
manning there few days we were ordered 70
60 down 10 North Carolina and help Sherman.
After several days marching we reached the
edge OF North Carolina, and there learned that
Sherman had finished his Job" and we re-
turned 10 Petersburg We lay there a short
time, aud took up our line Of march for Wash
ington city by way of Richmond. After the
grand review at Washington we were sent 10
Wheeling, and there discharged in July, 1866.
u. Z. ALLUM, Lieutenant, Co. b, LIST w. Va.
Cav, Third Brigade, Third Division, Cavalry
Corps, Maynesburg, Greene Co., Pa